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Jorge Lorenzo will have to wait until Sunday morning to find out if he can start the US MotoGP after crashing heavily moments after claiming pole position in final qualifying at the Laguna Seca circuit in California on Saturday (July 4th, 2009).

The Spaniard was rushed to hospital with a suspected dislocated right shoulder and bruised foot and will undergo a test on Sunday morning to determine if he can race.

If he is ruled out, championship leader Valentino Rossi will be ready to pounce having qualified second fastest while Australia''s Casey Stoner will start from third place on the grid despite also crashing late in qualifying.

It was a day of high drama at the Laguna Seca circuit in California on Saturday as the world''s top MotoGP riders fought for pole position for the US grand prix.

Currently lying in second place in the championship, Jorge Lorenzo started his qualifying run in determined fashion, so much so that he slid off the track early in the session.

The Yamaha rider immediately jumped onto his spare bike and set a blistering hot lap of 1 minute 21.678 seconds to secure pole position for Sunday''s race.

However, whether he will actually get to start the race is unsure after Lorenzo crashed heavily just after setting the fastest lap.

Lorenzo was taken from the circuit in an ambulance after he tumbled over the handlebars and slid into a sand trap at high speed and suffered a suspected dislocated right shoulder and severely bruising his right foot.

The Spanish rider faces a late medical check on Sunday morning to determine if he can race.

No such problems for jovial 8-times world champion Valentino Rossi.

The Italian produced a fastest lap that was just 0.167 of a second behind Lorenzo.

Rossi will be determined to capitalise on any weakness shown by Lorenzo should he be passed fit to race as he looks to extend his 5-point lead over the Spaniard at the top of the championship standings.

MotoGP qualifying result from Monterey, California:

1. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 1:21.678
2. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 1:21.845
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 1:21.910
4. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 1:22.113
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 1:22.135
6. Toni Elias (Spain) Honda 1:22.146
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 1:22.490
8. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Ducati 1:22.540
9. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki 1:22.633
10. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 1:22.662